Pickup game elements

ABSTRACT

Game device consisting of a plurality of cup-shaped elements placed on a surface with the opening down and in a predetermined configuration. Each cup is marked with a different letter or number. The base of the cup, which faces upwardly in use, is provided with a plurality of circular ribs about its periphery to prevent a user&#39;&#39;s foot from slipping. The cups are stepped on by the game player who simultaneously picks up adjacent cups in numerical or alphabetical order.

United States Patent Inventors Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee Lawrence Reiner One Hickory Lane, Woodbury, l1797; Philip Scheyer, Spring Valley, N.Y. 704,872

Feb. 12, 1 968 Jan. 26, 1971 said Scheyer assignor to said Reiner PICKUPGAME ELEMENTS 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1965 Neil D44/1 5(16)X 273/1,273/137 lnt.Cl A63b 71/04 Field ofSearch ..273/1, 1(a), (lnquired), 137,137(a), 137(ac), 137(ad);

D158,935 6/1950 Correale 273/137X 1,490,20] 4/1924 Brown 273/ 12,905,350 9/1959 Edwards 2l5/l(.5) 3,177,278 4/1965 Schilling..(2l5/l(.5))UX 3,309,448 3/1967 Schilling ..(2l5/l (.5))UX PrimaryExaminer-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Paul E. ShapiroAtt0rneyLilling & Siegel ABSTRACT: Game device consisting of a pluralityof cupshaped elements placed on a surface with the opening down and in apredetermined configuration. Each cup is marked with a different letteror number. The base of the cup, which faces upwardly in use, is providedwith a plurality of circular ribs about its periphery to prevent a usersfoot from slipping. The cups are stepped on by the game player whosimultaneously picks up adjacent cups in numerical or alphabeticalorder.

PATENTEDmzsmn 3558.133

. INVENTORS LAWRENCE REINER Y PHILIP SCHEY R "M ATTORNEYS PICKUP GAMEELEMENTS This invention relates generally to games and, moreparticularly, to game apparatus and methods of play.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide novel games. 1

Another primary object of the present invention, in addition to theforegoing, is the provision of novel game apparatus.

A yet further primary object of the present invention, in addition toeach of the foregoing, is the provision of games providing amusement andaiding in the development of poise, balance, coordination, physicalfitness, and general physical well-being.

Another and still further primary object of the present invention, inaddition to each of the foregoing, is the provision of novel gamessuitable for play by substantially any number of players ofsubstantially any age and in substantially any location, both indoorsand outdoors.

Another and yet still further primary object of the present invention,in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of novelgames which are economical to produce and durable in use.

The invention resides in the combination, construction, arrangement anddisposition of the various component parts and elements incorporated inimproved games constructed in accordance with the principles of thisinvention and in novel methods of play. The present invention will bebetter understood and objects and important features other than thosespecifically enumerated above will become apparent when consideration isgiven to the following details and description, which when taken inconjunction with the annexed drawing describes, discloses, illustratesand shows a preferred embodiment or modification of the presentinvention and what is presently considered and believed to be the bestmode of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments ormodifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of theteachings herein, and such other embodiments or modifications areintended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope andspirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an isometric pictorial illustration illustrating one step inthe utilization of the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration similar to FIG. 1 showing another step in theutilization of this invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevational cross-sectional view of one unit of gameapparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of thisinvention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagrammatic illustration of one possible startingpattern or positional orientation of a game in accordance with thisinvention.

With reference now to the drawing, the present invention relates to abalancing game wherein there are provided a plurality of game devicesdesignated generally by the reference character upon which thecontestants are required to stand and move about while performingcertain manipulations. For example, the contestants may be required topick up the game devices in a preselected sequence while supportingthemselves only by others of the game devices.

For example, the game devices 20 may be provided with numerals with thecontestants balancing and moving only on the game devices picking up thegame devices in, for example, numerical order. The game may be played ina series of rounds with the first player to pick up a preselected numberof the devices, for example, 25, winning the game. Where l2 devices areutilized, then there would be a maximum of l 1 points to be made by anyplayer per round. The player with the greatest number of points over atthe end of a complete round (playing in rotation) would be the winner.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, the devices 20 may be ofsubstantially any desired construction which provides a relatively smalltop surface raised a sufficient distance from the floor or ground.

The devices 20 may, for example, and with reference now particularly toFIG. 3, be molded from plastic, or the like, to a generally hollow cupor bowl-shaped configuration comprising a generally flat support wallportion 22 and a generally curved sidewall portion 24 flaring generallyoutwardly thereof to a generally circular rim 26. The outer surface ofthe generally flat wall portion 22 may be provided with a plurality ofgenerally circular raised ridges 28 to aid in preventing a contestantsfoot from slipping off the surface thereof. Generally interiorly of theridges 28, the bottom wall portion 22 may be provided with the numericindicia, as by means of a printed label being secured thereto, byprinting the numeric indicia directly thereon, or the like. While thedevices 20 may be of substantially any desired dimensions, it has beenfound that if the rim 26 is approximately 4% inches in diameter and thesupport wall portion 22 is approximately 3 inches in diameter and thedevice 20 is approximately 2 inches high, then a reasonable measure ofskill and balance is required by the contestants to stand and walk onthe devices while performing the manipulative requirements of the game.Similarly, while the devices 20 may be fabricated substantially of anydesired material, it has been found that a polystyrene plastic having athickness of approximately one-sixteenth inch, when molded to theconfiguration illustrated provides sufficient strength, durability andaesthetic appeal.

With reference now to FIG. 4, the game of the present invention may beplayed by placing the devices 20in the general configuration diagrammedtherein. Each of the devices 20 should be disposed approximately 18inches from the adjacent devices, increasing or decreasing this distancefor older or younger players as required. To start, the first player orcontestant would stand on the devices numbered 2 and 7 and would thenstep from device to device to position himself so that he can stoop,lean or squat and pick up device No. 1 without losing his balance. Hethen would maneuver on the devices to a position to pickup device No. 2etc. until only devices No. 11 and 12 remained on the floor. The playeror contestant would then be required to balance on one foot on deviceNo. 12, pickup device No. 11 and return to an upright position. A rug orother nonslippery surface is preferred. At no time should any part ofthe body be permitted to touch the floor. Also, once a device has beenpicked up or retrieved, it should not again touch the floor. If a playeror contestant successfully picks up the 11 devices, his turn would beover and he would receive 11 points. The second player would then resetthe devices to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 and proceed inthe same manner. After all the players have completed their first turn,round I would be over and round 2 starts. The rounds continue until oneor more players or contestants reach or exceed 25 points, for example.After all players have had their turn in the final round the player withthe highest number of points would win.

As a variation, the first player might toss'thc devices on the floor,one at a time, so that no device is closer than, for example, 3 feetfrom him. The player would then turn up the devices so that all of thenumbers show, and no devices overlap or touch another device. Then, bystanding on any two devices, and using any other of the devices asstepping stones, the player or contestant picks up device No. I, thendevice No. 2, then device No. 3, etc., until he is left standing on onefoot on device No. 12. Should a player touch the floor or any objectother than the device he is picking up, with his hands, feet, or anypart of his body, his turn would end. If he succeeds in picking up allthe cups properly, he steps down onto the floor, tosses the 12 devicesagain, and continues as before. The contestants would play in rotationand the first player to pickup a total, for example, of 25, would win.

Moreover, it is to be expressly understood that the embodiment ormodification of the invention heretofore described, disclosed,illustrated and shown is to be construed and intcrpreted as beingillustrative only and for the sole purpose of aiding in theunderstanding of the present invention, and that the invention is not tobe deemed limited thereby but, rather, may many variations may be madefrom the embodiments or modifications hereinabove described, disclosed,illustrated and shown.

For example, the cups may be provided with other and differentidentifying indicia, such as, and without limitation. letters, symbols,pictorial matter, groups of symbols, pictures, or the like such as dots,bars, or the like, colors or groups of coiors, and so forth. Moreover,and by way of further example, the cups may be utilized as vehiclesenabling other objects to be picked up, such as lettered, numbered orcolored tiles or dominoes, or the like.

As further variations, the players could pick up only odd cups, or onlyeven cups, pick up the cups in reverse order, i.e., from No. l2 down toNo. 1, or, if the devices are provided in multiple colors, then theplayers or contestants could pick up color rather than by number.Similarly, if the cups are provided with, for example, letters ratherthan numbers, the cups may be picked up in alphabetic sequence, reversealphabetic sequence, or by spelling words from the cups picked up orleft down, or the like.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shownin terms of certain preferred embodiments or modifications which it hasassumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed tobe limited by the precise embodiments or modifications herein described,disclosed, illustrated and shown, such other embodiments ormodifications as may be suggested to those having the benefit of theteachings herein being intended to be reserved especially as they fallwithin the scope and breadth of the claims here appended.

We claim:

1. Game device comprising a base. a plurality of elements placed on saidbase in a predetermined configuration and adapted to be stepped uponwhile picking up adjacent elements, said elements being cup-shaped anddisposed with the open end facing said base, the base of each of saidelements constituting a support wall, said cup-shaped elements beingprovided with circular raised ridges about the periphery of said supportwall for providing nonskid stepping surfaces, each of said elementsbeing provided with different indicia on a surface thereof.

2. The game device according to claim 1, wherein said indicia isprovided on said support wall generally radially inwardly of saidridges.

3. The game device according to claim 2, wherein said indicia comprisealpha-numeric symbol means.

4. The game device according to claim 1, wherein said elements comprise16 elements disposed on said base in the form of a cross comprising twovertical rows and two horizontal rows, and each of said rows having fourelements.

1. Game device comprising a base, a plurality of elements placed on saidbase in a predetermined configuration and adapted to be stepped uponwhile picking up adjacent elements, said elements being cup-shaped anddisposed with the open end facing said base, the base of each of saidelements constituting a support wall, said cup-shaped elements beingprovided with circular raised ridges about the periphery of said supportwall for providing nonskid stepping surfaces, each of said elementsbeing provided with different indicia on a surface thereof.
 2. The gamedevice according to claim 1, wherein said indicia is provided on saidsupport wall generally radially inwardly of said ridges.
 3. The gamedevice according to claim 2, wherein said indicia comprise alpha-numericsymbol means.
 4. The game device according to claim 1, wherein saidelements comprise 16 elements disposed on said base in the form of across comprising two vertical rows and two horizontal rows, and each ofsaid rows having four elements.